Covey Rise Ranch
- Lewistown, Montana
$1,990,000
- Expertly Managed 1,590 +/- all deeded acres.
- 4+ miles meandering McDonald Creek
- Highway location just 47 miles to Lewistown.
- 175 acres of dryland and irrigable tilled lands.
- Upland Bird, Water Fowl, and Big Game Hunting.
- Rich riparian habitat.
- Truly a ready to go hunting property.
Covey Rise Ranch is a sporting ranch that caters to the outdoorsman looking for an all in one property. The ranch is nicely situated and well blocked spanning 1,590 deeded acres. The current operation strategy is to improve habitat and wildlife numbers along side operating a productive farm and ranch. The ranch features productive dry and irrigated cropland, new fencing and stock water updates. The riparian area is not grazed and has been improved with a new 4-wire and steel post fence. The expert management has made significant effort to make this property productive for agriculture and recreation.
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Location
The Covey Rise Ranch is located about 47 miles east of Lewistown via Highway 200. The ranch is conveniently located along the south side of Highway. The ranch is also located 6 miles west of Winnett and 18 miles east of Grass Range with general services, K-12 school, café, small convenience stores, bar, and churches. Billings (population 119,706) is 105 miles to the south with commercial airlines, major shopping, and additional medical services.
Ranch Size and Operation
The Covey Rise Ranch consists of 1,583 acres all deeded. There are around 210 acres of tillable lands on the property.
About 175 acres are used for raising forage crops and about 35 acres are used for food plots. The forage crops used are alfalfa, alfalfa grass mixes which are harvested and sold to area ranchers for hay. Depending on snow pack in area mountains and creek flow about 40 acres are irrigable. The 35 acres of food plots are planted mainly to small grains and millet which are harvested by the wildlife! The area elk herd has found these cocktails and have been moving in and the cows are now starting to calve in the area. The riparian areas have been fenced off and no grazing is allowed. Besides selling forage crops the owner leases out fall pasture to a neighbor for four months. The owner makes sure these pastures are not grazing for two years in a row. The riparian drainages have several varieties of trees and brush like box elder and willow. All this cover and food is beneficial for a variety of wildlife, birds, and livestock.
Area Recreation
Central Montana is known for its variety of hunting and fishing. The upland bird hunting include ruff and blue grouse, sharp-tailed and sage grouse, Hungarian partridge, and pheasants. Turkey is also abundant with both fall and spring seasons. Central Montana is known for its bird hunting as people arrive from other parts of Montana and the nation. Big game is also an attraction because of its large Elk populations in all the mountain ranges and the Missouri River Breaks. Also hunted are Black Bear, Lion, Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer, Antelope, and Big Horn Sheep (World class in the Missouri River Breaks). Central Montana recreation is vast and unencumbered by large crowds. Big Spring Creek, Judith River, Missouri River, Crystal Lake, Warm Spring Creek, Ackley Lake, Petrolia Lake, and Fort Peck Lake are the primary water sources for fishing and recreation. Besides the water sources, five area mountain ranges provide a variety of hunting and other forms of recreation. The Central Montana area has quality agricultural land with reliable production of hay, small grains, and cattle. Seventy miles north of Lewistown is the Missouri River. Hunting and fishing opportunities are available through the BLM and Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge. Fort Peck is noted for having more shoreline than the state of California. Fort Peck Lake enjoys nationwide recognition as a hot spot for walleye fishing. Each year the Governor’s Cup is held at Fort Peck Lake, which attracts anglers from all over the State in search of large walleye. The lake also offers excellent fishing for sauger, smallmouth bass, lake trout, chinook salmon and northern pike.
Ranch Recreation
Scattered throughout the ranch are over 35 acres of food plots on both sides of the creek. These plots are in a variety of small grains catering to upland birds. The plots are not harvested and left as a food source from summer through winter. Located near dense cover and water the wildlife utilized the food plots guarantee higher survivable rates and retention of wildlife. Upland birds such as pheasants, huns, sharptailed grouse along with doves and other water follow utilize these areas. Additionally, big game take advantage and flourish. Current big game on the ranch are primarily whitetail and antelope. Mule deer pass through and elk have began to call the ranch home with bulls and cows bedding in the willows.
As elk numbers have grown in Central Montana they have began to spread into new territories. Consistently over the years elk have began to take advantage of this ranch’s lush habitat and seclusion. First bulls and now cows and calves frequent the ranch for the majority of the year. Over the past few years archery hunters have had great opportunities to harvest elk on the ranch. With proper management this will only increase.Water and Water Rights
Sources of water on the ranch include 4+ meandering miles of McDonald Creek an artesian well with one tank, dugouts for livestock and wildlife. The below water rights are listed with the DNRC.
Summary
Covey Rise Ranch stands out as a premium hunting property that is turn key. It’s a rare occurrence that ranches offer quality hunting and retain such production. From the vast opportunity from running dogs for birds, decoying doves, jump shooting ducks, or hunting deer and elk, the Covey Rise Ranch is a complete package .